Disclaimer: All characters and some dialogue belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. I am simply playing with them until I have Breaking Dawn to read.

A/N: Finally!…It feels like I've been waiting ages to write this part. Mbs Tnuccio will hopefully be able to return for CH 15, she had much more pressing matters to attend to.

This chapter was guest Beta'ed by betagoddess……Ava Sinclair! She took a break from her FABULOUS story Evening Falls to help me out so I could leave Tnuccio alone. I highly suggest you check out her AU Twilight stories Extraordinary and its sequel Evening Falls. Do it, now!…err, well…actually, after you read this and review please ;)

Accident

The journey to school this morning was exhilaratingly treacherous; the Volvo slid and fishtailed as Edward pushed it to its limits in the slick slush covering the roads. Teenagers drive as if death weren't a consequence and we were no different, except that we actually were immortal. Edward was hoping to get to school early for a few donuts in the parking lot before anyone else arrived.

The atmosphere in the car was undeniably joyous. Our morning had been beautiful. Rosalie glowed from victory; her happy smile actually sparkled in her golden eyes. Emmett was his typical boisterous self, pleased because Rose was happy and smug in his belief that I hadn't been able to prank him again. Jasper's head lolled back against the seat, eyes closed and lips curled into a subtle, satisfied smile. His left arm curled possessively around me, thumb hooked in the waistband of my jeans. The contentment he kicked out made me feel like I was floating in that hazy-happy place that exists between slumber and wakefulness. It was the closest to dreaming that I would ever get so I let myself bask in the sensation.

"I hate to break it to you Edward." I opened one eye lazily and met his gaze in the rearview mirror, "You weren't the only one who thought the school lot would be the perfect spinout spot."

I watched his jaw tighten in annoyance as he took in the scene in my mind. Several Forks High students had woke up early to spin their cars in the icy school parking lot. I focused for a moment to see what would happen if we went anyway. Three still-scenes melted into each other: one showed a rusty Jeep Cherokee smashing into the back quarter panel of the Volvo, the second, Edward pulling the driver's side door off of the Cherokee when the offending driver refused to get out, and the third involved Edward, Carlisle, and Chief Swan at the police station. Edward sighed in disappointment, and eased off the accelerator.

"Aw, I'm sorry Edward." I opened my one eye again, and fought to keep the laughter out of my voice. Emmett twisted his bulk in the front seat to look at me questioningly.

"Some rather ambitious humans have beaten Edward to the parking lot. If we go, the Volvo's going to get hit." I settled back against Jasper's shoulder and closed my eyes again in anticipation of that fuzzy feeling returning.

"Oh go on Edward, you know we could pound out any dents in a night. We might need to send it out for repainting, though." Rosalie eyes were alight as she pondered bodywork on the Volvo, then they turned thoughtful. "Emm, I want a paint booth addition on the garage for my birthday. I'm tired of having to send cars out to be painted."

"Sure Rosie, whatever you want." Emmett was so used to giving Rosalie whatever she asked for, I doubted that he even realized what he'd agreed to get her. It was comical to hear his change in tone as he actually thought about what she said. "Do you even know how to use a professional paint booth?"

"Emmett!" Rosalie tried to sound put out, but her affectionate smile killed any traces of indignation. "There's proof right there that you don't listen to me!"

"Enough, the two of you! Next thing we all know this mock argument will turn into something that will require real making up and I don't think the desks in the maintenance closet can handle any more abuse!" I struggled to keep the smirk off my face as Edward looked at Emmett in confusion.

"We can't go because Edward commits a small misdemeanor and Carlisle has to go get him down at the station." I clarified for everyone's benefit. "We all know how much he loves this car. God forbid anyone hurts his mate."

The car shook as Emmett's laughter roared and he clapped Edward on the back. I unsuccessfully tried to suppress my giggles and Rosalie chuckled, eyes sparkling with mirth. Even Jasper laughed, increasing the euphoria in the car. Edward lost his battle to remain stoic and his relaxed laughter joined ours.

Denied donuts, Edward decided to get his thrills on the way to school instead of in the parking lot. It burned up time, and much to Rosalie's dismay, tires. He randomly locked the brakes, whipped the steering wheel to the left to send the car sliding sideways down the deserted road. Jasper and Emmett whooped and hollered as the slides got longer and longer, knowing that Edward pushed to car to ridiculous speeds to lengthen the skid. I kept my eyes closed and let the visions come as they pleased. I was sure that Edward was using my talent to ensure we would not be caught, or worse, cause someone harm.

She appeared eventually, still and pale, her mahogany hair fanned out behind her smooth face. I had recognized the incoming scene by its muddled edges and misty quality, but I hadn't been able to stop it before Edward saw. I heard his hissed intake of air and felt his foot ease off of the gas. I sensed Jasper raise his head to look at me. I knew he felt Edward's shock and dismay, and he assumed that it was about something I had envisioned. Again, Edward. You owe me again. You know I hate lying to him. I want something more than clothing this time.

"He was going to get caught." The lie was made easier by my closed eyes. Jasper relaxed against the seat, apparently believing my falsehood. I want a shopping companion, Edward, for five years. I know there's nothing you like better than to run for me while I try things on. Put me in a situation where I need to lie again and I'm tacking on an additional decade. Even Rosalie didn't really enjoy shopping with me very much; I could spend hours in one store. For the others it was a dreadful form of torture. I slit my eyes and smiled in satisfaction at his curt nod and the annoyed tension on his face. He turned up the stereo, and accelerated down the isolated road towards our collective hell.

The parking lot was poorly plowed, and I doubt the school received near the amount of salt for which they'd paid the plowing company. The smoothed snow had refrozen in places creating patches of ice untouched by sand or salt. Edward parked the car a bit farther away than usual, and then mumbled something about not wanting someone to skid into it. Rosalie grumbled about having to walk so far with her suede boots in the slush but Emmett, ever the gentleman, gallantly offered to carry her to dry land.

"Do you want me to carry you too, Lis?" Jasper wasn't about to be outdone by Emmett. I rolled my eyes and he grinned. I may have had high-end tastes, but I was a low maintenance kind of girl. Plus, I knew better than to wear suede in the snow, I mean come on, really?

All four doors popped open in unison, and we climbed out of the car and into the chaos that was the parking lot. Snowballs flew and people slipped and slid on slick spots. I slung my bag across my shoulders and moved to lean against the hood and wait for Jasper as he pulled his own pack from the trunk. I was about to ask him to meet me in the library during lunch when the unmistakable squeal of rubber on asphalt cut off my thought. I whipped around and located the source of the ear-numbing sound.

A deep blue van had hit one of the unsalted icy patches of lot and was now careening out of control towards the line of parked cars. I heard a low gasp from near the front of the car and then realized that the Swan girl was directly between her monster of a truck and the sliding van. So this was how the human girl was going to die. I frowned; wishing potential witnesses didn't surround us. One of us could have easily prevented the accident. Now there was no doubt she would be crushed.

I realized then who had gasped. Edward stood on the other side of the car, eyes locked on the unfolding tragedy. Abject horror twisted his fine features, I was startled by its strength. His lips moved unconsciously; two short words said so quickly and quietly that I couldn't make them out. A vision abruptly flashed in my mind as quick as a blink. He is going to save her and possibly expose us all.

"No, Edward!"

I lunged forward over the hood to grab the collar of his coat, but he had read my intentions as soon as I had them. The others were in no position to do anything but gawk as Edward crossed the four-car distance between the girl and us in a half-second. Emmett's mouth hung open in shock; Rosalie's eyes were like saucers; her mouth a perfect "o." Jasper's hand rested on the open trunk, his face a mask of disbelief. I know the children surrounding us hadn't even noticed he moved, but they would when the wreckage was cleared.

He hit her head on, knocking her to the ground with considerable force. I could no longer see the two of them, but I saw the trajectory of the van shift as he prevented it from hitting them both. The van's frame uttered a metallic scream of protest as it rocked onto two wheels for a split second, and then dropped to the ground. As I watched, the long window in the side door shattered, pieces of glass like ice fell to the ground. I'd seen enough here. I closed my eyes and looked inward, willing a vision that would show me an outcome to this sudden madness. I felt Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett move to surround me as the screaming and running started.

"What did he just do, Alice?" Rosalie's voice was incredulous but held an edge of fury. It matched the looks on Jasper and Emmett's faces.

"He just saved Bella Swan from fate." I replied, my voice tight as I tried to focus.

Emmett's dubious voice cut into my thoughts. "Isn't that the same girl he almost killed?"

"I'm trying to think here!" My exasperation was evident and Jasper placed his hand lightly on my back. Nothing. I could see nothing. I opened my eyes and smacked both hands on the hood in frustration. The entire student body had moved to unintentionally form a large, loose circle around the crash. I could hear shouting and crying as I watched as faculty streamed from the building to help.

"Don't move!"

"Someone get Tyler from the van!"

Finally a flash in my mind pulled me away from the bedlam. She is suspicious of him, she saw us by the car before Edward hit her. She's decided to question him. Oh Edward, what are you going to do now? Sirens added to the cacophony swirling around my siblings and me.

"What should we do?" Jasper whispered softly in my ear. Rose and Emmett looked at me expectantly and again I didn't have solutions to the problems that arose with each passing minute.

"She's decided to question Edward about his involvement. She saw him standing here with us before the accident…"

Rosalie hissed in anger; both Emmett and Jasper growled.

"This needs to be taken care of now." Jasper's words were harsh. I looked up at him in surprise. "Alice, you know the rules. The Volturi consider suspicion and actual knowledge the same thing. Believe me, you don't want them to come here."

"She's an innocent Jasper. I don't think we need to be rash…"

The EMTs had arrived and our attention was back on the accident. Edward stood and shook his head when they questioned him about treatment. He motioned to the girl and then turned to look at us. I can only imagine what the others were thinking as I watched his jaw tense and his eyes grow hard. I can only trust you, brother, trust that you know what you are doing. She will not drop her suspicions, be ready for her at the hospital. Someone will phone Carlisle to warn him you're coming in. His eyes softened minutely as he gazed into mine. Worry filled me as he walked to the ambulance and climbed into the back. I felt Jasper's hand slip around my waist and tighten on my hip as he felt my concern. The fury, disapproval, and worry emanating from the three of us had to be overwhelming. I turned to Emmett and asked him to warn Carlisle. He nodded and pulled out his phone.

I turned my attention back to the wreck. The EMTs had raised the gurney where the Swan girl lay strapped, her small frame dwarfed further by a cumbersome neck brace.

"Alice." Rosalie's beautiful voice was laced with anger. I ignored her, trying to make out what was being said at the scene.

Chief Swan arrived, and when he realized that it was his daughter on the stretcher he called to her in concern. She insisted she was fine, and he turned to talk to the EMT closest to him to confirm.

"Alice! What is that girl thinking of doing?" Rosalie demanded, this time her voice was flooded with annoyance and edged with panic.

I could barely contain myself as I answered her through clenched teeth. "Rose, I'm not the one who reads minds. I'm trying to figure that out myself."

I realized I didn't need to be a mind reader to see the thoughts running through the girl's head. The emotions running across her face as she tried to piece together what had happened were as easy to read as a book. She looked in our direction as they wheeled her to the ambulance and was apparently surprised by what she saw. The expression on her face shifted from doubt to confusion, but the hint of suspicion didn't change.

The others noticed it as well. Jasper cursed under his breath and stalked toward the building. Emmett shook his head in disgust and shock, grabbed a fuming Rosalie by the hand, and trudged off to first period. I was left standing by the Volvo when the dreaded scene came to me again. This time Bella Swan was as pale as pure white snow, her face hauntingly beautiful and peaceful. One delicate arm lay at an angle across her chest, her hand sat lightly on her neck. Her other arm rested bent, raised up above her head. Her hair moved and shifted subtly like coffee spilt on a white tablecloth. This vision was more vivid, and lasting. Part of my mind marveled at the intensity of the scene, and I heard myself gasp as corpse Bella opened her ruby-red eyes and smiled.

Shock dropped me to my knees, and I rested my forehead against the car for support. Thoughts and questions whirled in my head, I clasped my hands to my temples in an attempt to slow the dervish. I wanted Jasper here for his calming presence. Oh Edward, what have you done? Would Carlisle have to change her because Edward attacked her on the way to the hospital? Has she figured out our secret and threatened to uncover us for what we are? Is her head injury so much worse than previously thought? Why change her though, why not just let her die…

It came to me then, a thought so sure and strong that it could have been another premonition instead of woman's intuition. He was in love with her. There could be no other reason for her change. Carlisle wouldn't take on another for novelty. Emmett had been the last to be turned, and that was only at Rosalie's request. Edward's behavior for the past week finally made sense. He couldn't help but talk to her, despite his promise. The desire he had to thwart the unintentional fate his attentions had caused her. Images of her lifeless body had sent him into a tension-filled brood, although he had seen death before. He'd risked exposure to save her from a gruesome and painful death. It was love, but did he know it?

Of course he didn't. He didn't know what love was. He only knew what love looked like from the outside. His mind worked only to analyze and rationalize. Love was neither of those things. My poor confounded brother.

My mind reeled with the implications. The obvious obstacles that stood between them tempered my excitement and joy for Edward. How was Carlisle going to pull this off in a town as tiny as Forks? Clearly we would have to leave with newborn Bella to prevent any accidental deaths, but what about her father?

There was no way I could focus today in class. Thankfully at least half of the student body had followed the ambulance to the hospital. I had no doubt that any information presented today would be repeated tomorrow due to the amount of absences. As if I needed the repetition anyways. What I needed was to get word to Jasper, Rose, and Emmett that I was going home. I could think through a few things and talk with Esme uninterrupted.

I took a few deep breaths, fixed a look of extreme distress on my face, and hurried to the main office. This was a time that I wished for tears; I have no doubt I could have twisted anyone around my little finger with brimming eyes. My diminutive size did occasionally have its advantages. I was so tiny that most human adults had an instinctual urge to protect me that warred with their urge to flee. Edward was usually amused by their conflict when we were out. Hopefully Mrs. Cope will feel sorry for Edward Cullen's sad little sister, traumatized by this morning's events. I pushed open the heavy door to the office, and looked pitifully at the red-headed secretary.

"Alice Cullen! What's wrong sweetheart?" Concern flooded the receptionist's voice. She came from behind her desk to console me, but stopped short of actually touching me. I struggled not to smirk. Her thoughts had to have been priceless.

"I'm so worried about Edward." I channeled a giggle into a shuddering sob. "Can I please be excused to go home and talk to my mother?"

"Of course, honey! You should be with your family now. That was a very disturbing incident." She walked back behind her desk to type my excuse into the computer. "Are your brothers and sister wanting to go with you as well?"

"They felt well enough to stay today; they're in class right now." I sniffed then grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk to dab at imaginary tears. "Could you please send them a note telling them I went home? Also, this is the spare key to Edward's car. Could you give it to Jasper?"

"I'll send it down with a runner right now, dear. How are you going to get home?" Her eyes were sympathetic, the nurturing instinct overriding self-preservation.

"I'll phone my mom from outside. She'll come pick me up."

"Ok dear. Try to relax; I'm sure Edward is going to be fine. Tell your mother that if there's anything we need to get together for Edward to let me know."

I nodded and offered her a small smile, keeping my teeth mostly hidden. She moved to comfort me again, but instead offered me another tissue at the last moment. Poor woman, torn between sympathy and survival. It must have been a fascinating feeling.

I left the office with slumped shoulders and downcast eyes. I had no intention of calling Esme. She'd tell me to run home, and then drive to the hospital to see Carlisle and Edward before I had a chance to talk to her. At least that's what flashed in my mind earlier when I had initially decided to call her. I walked through the double doors into the crisp outdoor air, sadly shuffling my feet until I was out of eyeshot. Then I ran for home to talk this out to a truly sympathetic ear.